What did the founding fathers mean by “the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness?” Mr. Needleman believes the goal is to create the safety and freedom for every individual to fully develop our conscience, to cultivate our best self, and to help others find greater well-being (not to accumulate and consume more, more, more.) He reminds us that for every right we have, we also have duties and responsibilities.

This is another show I wish we could broadcast in all the airports, malls, and sporting arenas. As the current state of global politics and big business prove on a daily basis, we (Americans, humanity) need to make significant course corrections. Mr. Needleman’s perspective and education on our history can help us turn in the right directions.

From the “On Being” website: As new democracies are struggling around the world, it’s easy to forget that U.S. democracy was shaped by trial and error. A conversation about the “inward work” of democracy — the conscience that shaped the American experiment.